Poipu Beach Park, Kauai, Hawaii

byDave Jackson

When you travel to Hawaii, because it is an island chain, you do yourself an injustice if you visit only Oahu (Honolulu). Because of the commercialism (which you’re trying to leave a little behind), you will be charmed by Oahu its many locations and activities, but you won’t know Hawaii unless you book a hotel on two other islands – we recommend Maui and Kauai.

Poipu Beach is on the island of Kauai.

This island was hit hard by hurricane Iniki and it seems to always be in the path of many hurricanes, but things always have a way of improving. Such is the island of Kauai.

Kauai is the least developed of the four major Hawaiian Islands. You’ve seen the dramatic landscape in King Kong, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park.

And who could forget Fantasy Island? The opening waterfall scene was shot at Wailua Falls.

When you visit Kauai, think Grand Canyon – it’s that big and breathtaking.

Now on to the beach.

Poipu is really a series of three white crescents, which hug some of the most awesome turquoise water on Kauai’s south coast. To give you an idea of how big it is, it starts at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and goes to the Poipu Beach Park.

Excellent for swimming, snorkeling and yes, even surfing – you can find waves in a couple of different places along the beach. Families find it great since the smaller kids can wade in the middle of the crescents, while the bigger kids can check out the surf near the rocks.

At Poipu Beach Park there’s a lifeguard on duty. The park offers showers, restrooms, picnic tables and shade. Stay the whole day if you like!

Poipu is the perfect place for birthday parties and the locals know it. So you might see a party going on – or some other festivity. There is everything here, so it is a great place to gather.

Come early because parking can be a problem depending on the weather, and the time of day.

Don’t feel bad if you’re not bringing an event. One may be going on while you are here. Enjoy!

Please give room to the monk seals that happen to make Poipu their rest stop on occasion. They can become irritated and bite, and they’re pretty big.

Monk seals are also an endangered species so they are protected by law, so you can get in trouble for messing with the authorities and you don’t want that to spoil your Hawaiian vacation, right?

And if you don’t like the activities, you’ll be enamored by the palm fronds swaying in the wind while you lay out or catch up on your latest novel as you hear the gentle surf come to shore as its done for thousands of years.